Simon Cox Blog: Moody Bible to Close Spokane Campus, Cut Chicago Faculty

Thursday 9 November 2017

Moody Bible to Close Spokane Campus, Cut Chicago Faculty

Fuller Seminary also plans to cut extension locations.

Moody Bible Institute has decided to shut down its undergraduate campus in Spokane, Washington, after 25 years, as well as its distance learning extension site in Pasadena, California.

The decision, announced today, is part of a strategic initiative to preserve Moody’s long-term financial wellbeing, which includes cuts to faculty and staff at its main campus in Chicago.

The Spokane campus enrolled 442 undergraduate students, compared to 1,599 in Chicago and 664 through its distance learning program.

Last fall, the Spokane campus added only 59 full-time freshmen; this fall, that number was down to 37. For the first half of the decade, the freshman class had been more than 100—well over double the past two years. The Pacific Northwest campus also had lower retention and graduation rates than the Chicago location.

The undergraduate school in Spokane, which offered eight bachelor’s degrees and two certificate programs, will close after graduation in May 2018. Current students can transfer to the Chicago campus or complete their degree through distance learning.

“We are deeply grateful to the Lord for all those who faithfully served in Spokane and for what took place through this campus,” James Spencer, Moody vice president and dean, said in a statement. “Many men and women have been sent out and are making an impact for the Kingdom around the world in all areas of life.”

Moody has operated its extension campus in Spokane since 1993, and moved its aviation program to the site in 2005. Moody Aviation will continue to train missionary pilots from the Spokane location. The campus has about 45 faculty members, about a third of whom are involved in the aviation program.

The announcement indicated ...